ey'll think you know some very queer sort of people, I dare say,"
Altamont said with impenetrable good-humour. "Look here, Baronet, I
apologise; on my honour I do, and ain't an apology enough between two
gentlemen? It was a strong measure I own, walking into your cuddy,
and calling for drink as if I was the Captain: but I had had too much
before, you see, that's why I wanted some more; nothing can be more
simple--and it was because they wouldn't give me no more money upon your
name at the Black and Red, that I thought I would come down and speak
to you about it. To refuse me was nothing: but to refuse a bill drawn
on you that have been such a friend to the shop, and are a baronet and
a member of parliament, and a gentleman and no mistake--Damme, its
ungrateful."

"By heavens, if ever you do it again--if ever you dare show to yourself
in my house; or give my name at a gambling-house or at any other house,
by Jove--at any other house--or give any reference at all to me, or
speak to me in the street, by God, or anywhere else until I speak to
you--I disclaim you altogether--I won't give you another shilling."

"Governor, don't be provoking," Altamont said surlily. "Don't talk to me
about daring to do this thing or t'other, or when my dander is up it's
the very thing to urge me on. I oughtn't to have come last night, I know
I oughtn't: but I told you I was drunk, and that ought to be sufficient
between gentleman and gentleman."

"You a gentleman! dammy, sir," said the Baronet, "how dares a fellow
like you to call himself a gentleman?"

"I ain't a baronet, I know," growled the other; "and I've forgotten how
to be a gentleman almost now, but--but I was one, once, and my father
was one, and I'll not have this sort of talk from you, Sir F. Clavering,
that's flat. I want to go abroad again. Why don't you come down with the
money, and let me go? Why the devil are you to be rolling in riches, and
me to have none? Why should have a house and a table covered with
plate, and me be in a garret here in this beggarly Shepherd's Inn? We're
partners, ain't we? I'd as good a right to be rich as you have, haven't
I? Tell the story to Strong here, if you like; and ask him to be umpire
between us. I don't mind letting my secret out to a man that won't
split. Look here, Strong--perhaps you guess the story already--the fact
is, me and the Governor----"

"D----, hold your tongue," shrieked out the Baronet in a fury. "You
shall have the money